Monday, November 28, 2011

Delicious Fun with Gingy at Gaylord Palms

Gaylord Palms Resort is an oasis in the midst of busy Orlando. Stroll along with serpentine paths lined with giant ferns, Cabbage Palms, and verdant greenery and you're walking in a botanical garden, the Louisiana bayou or an island paradise. Orchids, waterfalls, streams-- even a lake with a boat fit inside the hotel atrium. The behemoth structure seems like a biosphere. Why, one could live within the confines for days and never need to go outside.

Waterfall inside Gaylord Palms Resort

By Thanksgiving, the resort adds holiday sparkle-- twinkling lights, bows and thousands of poinsettia plants intermingled with the foliage. The expanse is gorgeous and the gigantic tree simply stunning.

To further help Floridians and vacationers ignore the 80 degree temperatures and slip into the holiday spirit, Gaylord Palms presents ICE. Visitors meander through a frozen village built in the Gaylord Convention Center that's kept around 12 degrees. Ice carvers from Harbin, China were brought in to create the magic structures and statues which resemble detailed wax museum figures. This year the theme is Shrek the Halls and it is sooooo cooool !!!

With Shrek and Donkey in ICE.

After exiting ICE (which means your hands are numb even though you're wearing gloves) sit down and test your decorating skills with Gingy- the gingerbread man made famous in the Shrek movies. Pick a gingerbread house, a gingerbread family or a gingerbread cottage ornament kit which come with all the candy, icing and accessories needed.

Working on gingerbread houses.

My friend Chris, her two daughters and I tried to creatively apply gum drops, candy canes, dots and sprinkles to our houses-- laughing all the way. We indulged ourselves in the sticky and delicious fun. I admit I had an edge as I've decorated gingerbread before, but we all had a sweet time together.

Gingy was proud of our final creations.

The best part--they clean-up your mess! So, run, run as fast as you can and catch the Gingy- man.

Member of International Food,Wine & Travel Writers Association

Debi in Florence Cooking School

About Me

Bylandersea-Food Tales features culinary articles, restaurant, product and cookbook reviews as well as recipes from my world-wide journeys. I also include bite size nuggets about what’s happening in my own kitchen. I honestly present my likes and dislikes, successes and failures. I'm a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association and Society of American Travel Writers. My website, www.bylandersea.com, contains articles about my global adventures and a link to my travel journal:The Luggage Diaries.